Howard Bests Phillies in Arbitration
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On Wednesday, salary arbitrators awarded Phillies 1st baseman Ryan Howard the $10 million he had asked for the 2008 season vs the Phillies offer of $7 million.
The award stands as a landmark decision in the history of MLB salary arbitration proceedings.
Howard, the powerful lefthanded hitting slugger who has pounded out the fastest 129 homers in MLB history and has driven in 353 runs in 2 1/2 seasons in the big leagues, will watch his bank account soar as he continues terrorizing opponents’ pitching with well-struck drives going ballpark to all fields.
AP Sports writer Robert Maaddi notes for Yahoo sports;
Howard batted .268 with 47 homers and 136 RBIs last season in what was considered a down year for him. In 2006 he had 58 homers, 149 RBIs and a .313 average, one of the best seasons by a second-year player.
The 28-year-old first baseman has less than three years service time in the majors, partly because his path was blocked by Jim Thome. An injury to Thome during the 2005 season paved the way for Howard, who had 22 homers and 63 RBIs in just 88 games to win the NL Rookie of the Year award.
The case was decided by [Stephen] Goldberg, Robert Bailey and Jack Clarke. The panel listened for nearly five hours as each side presented its arguments Wednesday in St. Petersburg.
Howard was represented by his agent, Casey Close. Houston Astros president Tal Smith, who represents many teams, handled the Phillies’ side.
Howard’s 58 homers in 2006 set an MLB record for a 2nd year player. The previous record was held by Ralph Kiner who hit 51 homers for the otherwise woeful Pittsburgh Pirates in 1947, his 2nd season in MLB.
Various media have reported the dimensions of the Howard arbitration decision. ESPN’s Jayson Stark succinctly provides perspective regarding this ground-breaking decision in MLB salary arbitration history:
• The previous record for most dollars awarded to a player who won an arbitration hearing was $8.2 million, by Andruw Jones (as a player with four years of service) in 2001.
• The previous record for highest salary in history by a player who was arbitration-eligible for the first time was $7.4 million — set by Miguel Cabrera after he won his case against the Marlins last year. But Cabrera had three-plus years of service at the time.
• Howard also tied Alfonso Soriano’s record for highest salary awarded to any player who went through an arbitration hearing. Soriano got $10 million two years ago from the Nationals. But he actually lost — in a bid for $12 million.
• And until this ruling, the Phillies had been the only franchise in history that had never lost an arbitration hearing, for one thing. They were 7-0 all-time, having out-arbitrated an eclectic group consisting of Jerry Koosman, Alan Knicely, Kevin Gross, Dickie Thon, Dale Sveum, Willie Banks and Travis Lee.
The main ESPN report notes;
Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team negotiated with Howard’s agent, Casey Close, about a contract “in a variety of lengths” as late as yesterday morning before the hearing at the Renaissance Vinoy Hotel in St. Petersburg. He said they thought they were close to a deal, but it’s uncertain how close.
“Close doesn’t get it done, though,” Amaro said.
It is believed reaching an agreement with Howard on a multiyear contract is going to be difficult. He could be seeking a contract far in excess of the seven-year, $100 million contract extension St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols received in 2004.
AP’s Maaddi adds these comments from Assistant GM Amaro Jr.;
“I’m sure he’s very pleased,” Phillies assistant general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. “This has been a negotiation that has been very amicable and very professional. It’s just a part of the process.”
As for Howard who didn’t get his long-term deal with the Phils but got the biggest 4th year - single season paycheck yet, ESPN’s Stark, in a must-read subsequent piece, writes;
Says his buddy Jimmy Rollins, it means he can afford that Aston Martin DB9 James Bond-mobile he’s had his eye on.
Suggested list price, in case you’re wondering: $168,000.
“Shoot,” Rollins laughed, “that’s two days salary for him now.”
Stark also provides an in-depth analysis of Why Howard won, what it means for both he and the Phillies and what it means for Major League Baseball as well as an illustration showing the impact of Howard’s production over his first 4 seasons in comparison with Mark McGwire, Willie Mays and others.
Philly.com’s Todd Zolecki notes that Howard seems to be taking the win in stride with his focus being on the 2008 season;
“It was some good news to start of the day,” Howard said after the team’s workout. “It’s a good feeling. It’s always a good feeling to win. But either way, it’s a win-win. It’s a substantial raise either way.”
Howard smiled easily as he talked on his cell phone outside the Phillies clubhouse. Teammate Jimmy Rollins gave him a high-five on his way back to his locker.
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